Upper body undergarment (undershirt garment)

ABSTRACT

An Upper-Body Undergarment (undershirt garment) that can be worn directly on top of the skin but beneath the next layer of garment as outer garment protection from upper body perspiration stains. The said undergarment is fashioned to allow ventilation and concealment and is ideal for wearing under outer garments such as shirts, T-shirts, coats, jackets, sweaters and the likes, especially in climates that are hot and the need to wear less clothing becomes important.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/343,928 filed May 6, 2010 entitled, “Upper Body Under Garment (Undershirt Garment)”

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Up until this invention, men wanting to wear an upper body undergarment under a dress shirt, casual shirt, a T-shirt, etc., had basically two choices either a T-shirt (round neck or V-neck) or tube ‘tank top’. Both of these styled under garments are designed to be worn in a full length fashion to cover the torso (extending from shoulder to below the waistline) and are usually tucked and secured into the pants, at the waistline, by a belt. These full length type undergarments have the potential problems of 1) restricting how a person wears the upper body outer garment, 2) creating a potential situation for the upper body temperature to be un-necessarily elevated causing the body to sweat because the entrapment of body heat. In other words, a T-shirt or ‘tank top” wearer is forced to wear their upper body outer garment in a fashion to conceal the T-Shirt or “tank top” under garment irregardless of whether it aids into the level of comfortability. When the body senses that it is exceeding its normal temperature, it starts to perspire in an attempt to cool off. For the upper body, the underarm areas perspire the most and this perspiration can cause permanent stains that can ruin the best of fabrics.

The “Upper Body Undergarment” is a novel new invention that provides underarm protection while at the same time giving the wearer a new found freedom while wearing it.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The Upper Body Undergarment is a type of undershirt garment that can be worn, preferably by men, as outer clothing protection from upper body perspiration. The said garment is worn directly on top of the skin but beneath the next layer of outer clothing to provided protection from upper body perspiration, especially in the underarm area. The said undergarment allows more open upper chest ventilation (which aids in keeping the body temperature at a comfortable level) and allows a wearer to wear outer garments such as coats, shirts, jackets and the likes with more freedom.

In the preferred embodiments, “wide-open V” chest and the “open-cradle” chest implementations, the wearer will have a sense of ease knowing that the concealment of said under garment is assured. The person wearing this Upper Body Undergarment undershirt is free to (un-zipped, un-snapped, un-button, un-tie, un-fasten, etc.) any upper body outer garment that they are wearing and wear it opened down to the middle of the chest area near the sternum without being concerned about concealing the undershirt garment. (Outer garments that are made using fishnet, web, chain-link, transparent types of fabrics do not apply to this invention and are excluded from this invention. In addition, any sleeveless outer garments are also not applicable to this invention and are excluded from this invention.)

In the “open-chest” area design embodiments, there is less fabric to trap heat against the body allowing for less propensity to generate perspiration and this in turns create a cooler and comfortable wearing experience. It is preferred that this undershirt garment be constructed of a lightweight cotton fabric type material to allow for some level of perspiration absorption and wear comfortability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the undershirt garment with a “wide-open V” chest shaped front and elastic on the side areas beneath the armpits.

FIG. 1B shows a preferred embodiment of the undershirt garment (back view) of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the undershirt garment with a “wide-open V” chest shaped front and elastic extending completely around the bottom area of the garment.

FIG. 2B shows a preferred embodiment of the undershirt garment (backview) of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2C shows a preferred embodiment of the undershirt garment (frontview) showing the elastic extending around the back of the garment at the bottom edge area and extending around just past the lower portion of the armpit area on both sides. (Note: only the lower part of the undershirt garment is shown but this embodiment is applicable to the “wide-open V” and “open-cradle” chest shape implementations.)

FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the undershirt garment with a “wide-open V” chest shaped front and a drawstring implemented around the bottom area of the garment.

FIG. 3B shows a preferred embodiment of the undershirt garment (front view) showing the elastic piece of material in the middle of the back area. Also shown is a draw-string configuration implemented around the bottom area of the undershirt garment. (Note: only the lower part of the undershirt garment is shown but this embodiment is applicable to the “open-chest V” and “open-cradle” chest shape implementations.)

FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the undershirt garment with an “open-cradle” chest shaped front and elastic on the side areas beneath the armpits.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the undershirt garment with an “open-cradle” chest shaped front and elastic extending completely around the bottom area of the garment.

FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the undershirt garment with an “open-cradle” chest shaped front and a drawstring implemented around the bottom area of the garment.

FIG. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of the undershirt garment (backview) showing the elastic in the middle of the back area along the bottom edge region.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

This invention “Upper Body Undergarment” (Undershirt garment) is the type of undershirt garment that can be worn, preferably by men, as outer clothing protection from upper body perspiration, especially in the underarm pit area. It is contemplated that this upper body undershirt garment be utilized for the upper body similar to how underwears e.g. boxers, briefs and the likes are used for the lower body below the belt. To maximize its wearing effectiveness, it is preferred that this invention be fabricated in a lightweight fabric capable of absorbing perspiration from the body. The unique fashion of the upper torso chest area and back of said garment allows for maximum ventilation to the upper body and helps with reducing the upper body temperature when it is covered by the next layer of outer garment.

The upper body, where many of the crucial human body activities occur, is prone to generate heat easily and will heat up faster and cause the body to perspire if there is any layer of fabric over it that prevents ventilation or reduction of normal airflow. When the body is heated, it sweats to cool it self down. Although sweating is natural and is good for the body, it should not be un-necessarily induced by wearing undershirt garments that causes the upper body temperature to rise. When the upper body temperature is elevated, the underarm areas sweat the most. This underarm sweat can ruin clothing by creating a very noticeable perspiration stain that is almost impossible to remove. The staining issue is severely compounded when an underarm deodorant is use. This invention, Upper Body Undergarment (undershirt garment) protects the next layer of outer garment from perspiration staining.

Referring to FIG. 1, this embodiment of the Upper Body Undergarment 100 shows the undershirt garment fashioned in “wide-open V” chest pattern 110. The front chest fabric is cut out to capture the contour of the chest and is cut to extend down to the middle of the chest area (around the sternum area). FIG. 1 also shows the thin elastic bands beneath both arm-pit areas 106, and thin zig-zag stitching 104 around the open chest area, low saddle neck back 102 and the short sleeves 104 on both arms. Although zig-zag stitching was use around the edges on the sleeves, “wide-open V” chest, and deep saddle neck back, it is in the scope of this invention that the edges of the fabric could be finished using elastic band material or re-inforced with other fabric or materials. The chest area fabric is cut and sewn in a fashion that contains folds 108 that allows the fabric to better fit the edge contour of the chest. FIG. 1B shows a back view of FIG. 1 and shows the “deep saddle neck” back implementation which is fashioned to aid in the upper body ventilation and concealment of said undergarment beneath the next layer of outer garment.

Referring to FIG. 2, this embodiment of the Upper Body Undergarment 100 a shows the undershirt garment fashioned in “wide-open V” chest pattern 110. The front chest fabric is cut out to capture the contour of the chest and is cut to extend down to the middle of the chest area (around the sternum area). FIG. 2 also shows the thin elastic bands at the bottom edge of the undergarment 112 that extends completely around the bottom edge. This bottom elastic edge can also be implemented as shown in FIG. 2C 116 to enhance the wearability. Any other configuration of the elastic in the bottom edge area is within the scope of this invention. Also shown in FIG. 2 is the thin zig-zag stitching 104 around the open chest area, low saddle neck back 102 and the short sleeves 104 on both arms. Although zig-zag stitching was use around the edges on the sleeves, “wide-open V” chest, deep saddle neck back, it is in the scope of this invention that the edges of the fabric could be finished using elastic band material or re-inforced with other fabric or materials. The chest area fabric is cut and sewn in a fashion that contains folds 108 that allows the fabric to better fit the edge contour of the chest. FIG. 2B shows a back view of FIG. 2 which shows the “deep saddle neck” back implementation of the Upper Body Undergarment (Undershirt garment) which is fashioned to aid in the upper body ventilation, and concealment of said undergarment beneath the next layer of outer garment.

Referring to FIG. 3, this embodiment of the Upper Body Undergarment 100 b shows the undershirt garment fashioned in “wide-open V” chest pattern 110. The front chest fabric is cut out to capture the contour of the chest and is cut to extend down to the middle of the chest area (around the sternum area). FIG. 3 also shows a draw string 114 implementation that extends completely around the bottom edge of the undergarment. This bottom edge drawstring implement-tation can also be combined with elastic 115 as shown in FIG. 3B, to enhance the wearability when securing the drawstrings. Any other configuration of the elastic and drawstring combinations are within the scope of this invention. FIG. 3 shows the thin zig-zag 104 stitching around the open chest area, low saddle neck back 102 and the short sleeves 104 on both arms. Although zig-zag stitching 104 was use around the sleeve edges, “wide-open V” chest, “deep saddle neck” back, it is in the scope of this invention that the edges of the fabric could be finished using elastic band material or re-inforced with other fabric or materials. The chest area fabric is cut and sewn in a fashion that contains folds 108 that allows the fabric to better fit the edge contour of the chest.

The embodiment of the Upper Body Undergarment shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the embodiment in FIG. 1, except where noted below. FIG. 4 embodiment of the Upper Body Undergarment 120 shows the undershirt garment fashioned in the “open-cradle” chest pattern 122. The front chest fabric is cut out to capture the contour of the chest and is cut to extend down to the middle of the chest area (around the sternum area). FIG. 4 also shows the thin elastic bands beneath both arm-pit areas 106, and thin zig-zag stitching 104 around the open-cradle chest area, low saddle neck back 102 and the short sleeves 104 on both arms. Although zig-zag stitching was use around the sleeve edges, “open-cradle” chest, and “deep saddle neck” back, it is in the scope of this invention that the edges of the fabric could be finished using elastic band material or re-inforced with other fabric or materials. The chest area fabric is cut and sewn in a fashion that contains folds 108 that allows the fabric to better fit the edge contour of the chest. The backside of FIG. 4 embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 1B.

Referring to FIG. 5, this embodiment of the Upper Body Undergarment is similar to FIG. 2, except where described below. FIG. 5 shows the Upper Body Undergarment 120 b implemented in the “open-cradle” chest pattern 122. The front chest fabric is cut out to capture the contour of the chest and is cut to extend down to the middle of the chest area (around the sternum area). FIG. 5 also shows the thin elastic bands at the bottom edge of the undergarment 112 that extends completely around the bottom edge. Other configurations and implementations of elastic in the bottom edge area are within the scope of this invention. Also shown in FIG. 5 is the thin zig-zag stitching 104 around the open chest area, “deep-saddle neck” back 102 and the short sleeves 104 on both arms. Although zig-zag stitching was use around the sleeve edges, “open-cradle” chest, “deep-saddle neck” back, it is in the scope of this invention that the edges of the fabric could be finished using elastic band material or re-inforced with other fabric or materials. The chest area fabric is cut and sewn in a fashion that contains folds 108 that allows the fabric to better fit the edge contour of the chest. The “deep-saddle neck” back 102 implementation on the Upper Body Under-garment (Undershirt garment) aids in the upper body ventilation and concealment of said under-garment beneath the next layer of outer garment.

Referring to FIG. 6, this embodiment of the Upper Body Undergarment is similar to FIG. 3, except where described below. FIG. 6 shows the Upper Body Undergarment 120 c implemented in the “open-cradle” chest pattern 122. The front chest fabric is cut out to capture the contour of the chest and is cut to extend down to the middle of the chest area (around the sternum area). FIG. 6 also shows a draw string 114 implementation that extends completely around the bottom edge of the undergarment. This bottom edge drawstring implementation can also be combined with elastic 115 as shown in FIG. 3B, to enhance the wearability when securing the drawstrings. Any other configuration of elastic and drawstring or elastic combination implement-tations are within the scope of this invention. FIG. 6 shows the thin zig-zag 104 stitching around the “open-cradle” chest area, “deep-saddle neck” back 102 and the short sleeves 104 on both arms. Although zig-zag stitching 104 was use around the sleeve edges, “open-cradle” chest, and “deep-saddle neck” back, it is in the scope of this invention that the edges of the fabric could be finished using elastic band material or the edges could be re-inforced with other fabric or materials. The chest area fabric is cut and sewn in a fashion that contains folds 108 that allows the fabric to better fit the edge contour of the chest.

In regards to FIG. 7, this embodiment is the back view of the Upper Body Undergarment (undergarment) 124 that can be used with either the “wide-open V” chest 110 and “open-cradle” 122 chest configurations. Depicted in FIG. 7 is a thin elastic band 126 in the middle of the back region around the bottom edge of the said undergarment. Also shown in FIG. 7 is the “deep saddle neck” back 102 and short sleeves 104 which are both finished in thin zig-zag stitching. Although thin zig-zag stitching was used to finish this embodiment, the edge of the fabric could be finished with any type of stitch that would allow the fabric to lay comfortably and snuggly against the body as to not create uneven areas of fabric that would be noticeable when viewed from outside the outer garment. It is preferred that the edges of the fabric be as smooth as possible to aid in the said under garments concealment. The “deep-saddle neck” back 102 implementation in this embodiment allows more openness in the upper back neck area to help reduce the upper body temperature.

Although the embodiment in FIG. 1-FIG. 7 are shown in their present implement-tations, it is within the scope of this invention for the inter-mixing of the embodiment styles and different bottom edges to obtain a combination not specifically mentioned in this document. In addition, it is also within the scope of this invention that the Upper Body Undergarment (under-garment) can be implemented with long sleeves. Likewise, the “wide-open V” chest 110 and “open-cradle” 122 chest configurations can be implemented into an under-garment with both long sleeves and lower body fabric that extends below the waist. 

1. Upper Body Undergarment (Undershirt Garment) can be worn directly on top of the skin but beneath the next layer of garment as outer garment protection from upper body perspiration stains, especially in the underarm regions.
 2. The said garment allows a wearer to wear a coat, shirt, or jacket, fasten opened down to the middle of the chest without detection of said undergarment. (Fasten here means buttoned, snapped, zipped, or any other method that is used to temporarily connect the two fabric pieces.)
 3. Said undergarment in claim 1 allows the wearer the freedom to wear short sleeved upper body outer garments, excluding fabrics mentioned in claims 15a, 15b, and 15c, without concealing the said undergarment.
 4. Said undergarment in claim 1 can be configured in an embodiment to have short sleeves, a “deep-saddle neck” back region, and a “wide-opened V” shaped chest front.
 5. Said undergarment in claim 1 can be configured in an embodiment to have short sleeves, a “deep-saddle neck” back region, and an “opened-cradle” shaped chest front.
 6. Said undergarment in claims 4 and 5 allows upper body ventilation which in turns lowers the upper body temperature.
 7. Said undergarment in claims 4 and 5 allows upper body ventilation which in turns reduces the body's need to sweat on the upper body areas, especially the underarm pits.
 8. Said undergarment in claim 3 can be fabricated using preferably a lightweight moisture absorptive fabric.
 9. Said undergarment in claims 4 and 5 can be configured with elastic around a portion of or the entire bottom edge of the said garments.
 10. Said undergarment in claims 4 and 5 can be configured with elastic and a drawstring around a portion of or the entire bottom edge of the garment.
 11. Said undergarment in claims 4 and 5 can be configured with a drawstring around a portion of or the entire bottom edge of the garment.
 12. Said undergarment in claims 4 and 5 can be configured with elastic around the sleeve edges and “deep-saddle neck” back regions.
 13. Said embodiments in claims 8, 9, and 10 can be configured with elastic in a portion of or the entire low “deep saddle neck” back area.
 14. Said garment fabric material can be sewn together preferably using a thread and a stitch pattern that reduces detectability which adds to the concealment of the said undergarment.
 15. Said undergarment in claims 1 and 2 may not be concealed under: a. Sleeveless outer garments, b. Outer garments fabricated using fishnet or web or chain-link type of fabrics, c. Outer garments fabricated from transparent fabric material. These fabrics, items a-c, are not applicable to this invention and are excluded from this invention.
 16. Said undergarment can be worn on the upper torso and can extend down preferably to just beneath the breast area. 